Salman Ali Agha, the captain of Pakistan's T20I team, has brought attention back to the handshake controversy that occurred during the Asia Cup 2026. This incident arose when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav opted not to shake hands with Agha before a match, citing solidarity with victims of a terror attack in Pahalgam, India, which claimed 26 lives. The tournament was held amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, leading to Indian players avoiding handshakes in all three matches, including the final, which India won. Agha discussed the issue on an ARY podcast, revealing that handshakes had occurred during the pre-tournament press conference and trophy photoshoot, making Yadav's refusal at the toss unexpected. Despite being informed beforehand about the no-handshake policy, Agha expressed disappointment, stating that gestures like handshakes are important for setting a positive example, especially for younger fans. The controversy was further complicated by India's refusal to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, head of the Pakistan Cricket Board, during the post-match presentation, reflecting ongoing tensions between the two nations.